Hajj in the Time of COVID-19

Suleman Atique; Ramaiah Itumalla

doi:10.1016/j.idh.2020.04.001

Hajj in the Time of COVID-19

Infect Dis Health. 2020 Aug;25(3):219-221. doi: 10.1016/j.idh.2020.04.001. Epub 2020 Apr 15.

Authors

Suleman Atique¹, Ramaiah Itumalla²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Informatics, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, University of Ha'il, Ha'il, 2440, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: gcufpharmd@yahoo.com.
² Department of Health Management, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, University of Ha'il, Ha'il, 2440, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

The recent outbreak of the novel COVID-19 is posing a severe public health risk across the globe. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is one of the greatest destinations of religious congregations of Muslims. One of the largest religious gatherings is the Hajj that is anticipated to produce serious challenges of mass level exposures and spread to every corner of the world. Therefore, it is highly recommended that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (KSA), must regularly analyze the prevailing situation of COVID-19, and involve the religious scholars to make appropriate decisions about Hajj 2020. Although the Saudi government has been continuously taking all possible measures to contain the pandemic, people's cooperation is crucial in the fight against COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; Hajj; Religious mass gathering; Saudi Arabia; Superspreader; Transmission.

Publication types

Letter

MeSH terms

Betacoronavirus*
COVID-19
Ceremonial Behavior*
Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
Humans
Islam*
Pandemics / prevention & control*
Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
SARS-CoV-2
Saudi Arabia / epidemiology